Marilyn Johnson

MADISON- Marilyn Aileen Johnson died on Sunday, January 10, 2016. She was a singularly special person to everyone who knew her. As a wife, mother, homemaker, professional, and friend she brought out the very best in all of us. As an advocate she provided crucial support to the Rails-to-Trails movement and to the saving of important biological preserves as well as the ecological restoration movement in general. As a volunteer she also worked with food pantries, speech therapy facilities, school groups and libraries.

Marilyn was born on April 27, 1928 in Farina, Illinois. Her parents were George E. Howard II and Aileen Van Sant Howard. She attended local public schools and was valedictorian of her high school class. Marilyn graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana in 1950 with a degree in Speech Therapy. That same year she married George Donald Johnson, a fellow University of Illinois graduate. Together they raised three children in Wheaton, Illinois. Professionally, Marilyn served several Whiteside County Illinois schools as their first speech therapist.

Marilyn is survived by her husband of 65 years, George Johnson; her daughter, Janis Johnson Packer and spouse, Terrence Packer of Arroyo Grande, California; her son, Mark Howard Jenssen, spouse, Martha O'Brien and grandchildren Lily and Owen Jenssen of Madison, Wisconsin; her daughter-in-law Janice Koontz Johnson and grand-daughter Kristen Johnson Forbes, spouse Isaac Forbes and great-grandchildren Dylan, Lucas and Chase Forbes of Orono, Maine.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents and two brothers as well as her son, Dr. Bruce Richard Johnson and grandson Brian Richard Johnson.

Private family services will be held.


Cress Funeral Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434